Sand aerating device

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an improved device for conditioning foundry sand or the like, comprising primarily a smooth surfaced drum support, tightly enclosed by a belt which carries a plurality of outwardly extending tool elements fastened thereto. The belt and tools associated therewith may be readily and quickly removed and replaced as a unit, whereby changing from one set of tools to another, or from a set of worn tools to a set of new tools is greatly facilitated. The novel device is readily associated and employed with conventional foundry conveyor belts used to transport sand.

PATENTED JAN 1219?:

' sum 1 or 2 IVTOR o u l W n ,u u H {u} .lu H u i u (5* ATTORNEYS PATENTEUJANIZIQH 3554,4929

SHEET 2 BF 2 ATTORNEYS:

SAND AERATING DEVICE,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION After making castings therewith, it is customary to recondition the sand by mixing the used sand with a proportion of new sand, and bond material, and churning, mixing and cooling the mass, to make sure it is thoroughly separated and cooled. At

the same time, the mass is contacted successively with a number of sprigs or cutter bars or similar tools, to make sure THE DRAWINGS The invention may be more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary cleated drum constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view through a peripheral portion of the surface of the drum of FIG. 1, taken on the line 2-2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view through a peripheral portion of the surface portion of the drum, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, and showing details of the means for assembling the cleated belt in place on the drum;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the extended length of the drum belt, looking at the cleat bearing side thereof;

FIG. 5 is a plan view, partly broken away, of an exemplary sand conditioning machine in which two of the new drum units are provided; and i FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the machine of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a cutter drum indicated generally as 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention, and composed of a smooth, cylindrical surface plate 12, spacer plates 14 and an axial shaft 16. A tool and belt assembly 18, best illustrated in FIG. 4, comprises a length of belt 20, substantially'coextensive in width with the cutter drum 10, to which a series of tools such as the cutter bars 22, are firmly attached at evenly spaced intervals. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the cutter bars may be simply cleats made up of lengths of steel angle iron. The base leg 26 of each cleat may be fastened to the-belt 20 by means of a series of rivets 28 extending therethrough and through the belt, which may be formed of a plurality of layers of rubberized duck fabric of a total thickness'of perhaps one-quarter inch.

The other legs of the cleats extend outwardly from the fabric,

the end plates together, thereby tightening the belt about the drum. In this way, all problems of belt and tool alignment are avoided, and the tool carrying belt is brought into close fitting relationship with the surface plate 12 of the cutter drum 10, so that collection or trapping of sand between the belt and the underlying surface plate is effectively precluded. ln this manner, a complete set of tools may be replaced in 15 minutes or so, it being quite unnecessary in order to do so, to disturb support bearings or other elements which may be associated.

FIGS. 5 and 6 disclose a conventional aerating feeder for foundry sand in which two of the novel cutter drums 10, constructed. in accordance with the present invention, have been incorporated by mounting them by means of bearings 36 immediately above the upper flight of the conveyor belt 38.

An electric motor 40, resting on frame elements 42, is connected in driving relationship to the cutter drums l0 by means of the vee belts-44 and driving sheaves 46, which may be identical or differently sized, in order todrive the cutting units at the same or different speeds. At the left-hand end of the aerating device is provided the usual belt tightener 48, and a feed hopper (not shown) from which a thin stream of sand is fed onto the conveyor belt and carried through the working section whereat the stream is repeatedly engaged by successive cutting elements, each of which slices off small increments and displaces them, thereby effecting the desired cooling, separating and fluffing of the sand.

After passing through the working section, the sand is impelled to the adjacent compartment whereat it encounters a plurality of soft, rubber curtains 48, which slow its velocity and assist in separating therefrom trash, scrap and the like. Any dust, in the usual machine, travelsthrough the exhaust passage 50, while the aerated material drops vertically out of the machine. I

lclaim:

1. A conditioning device for foundrysand or the like, including a cylindrical support member, .a belt enclosing said support member, aseries of tool elements extending the width of said belt, attached to and extending outwardly from the outer surface of said belt, an end plate associated with each end of said belt, said end plates being correspondingly apertured, whereby the belt may be positioned about said support member, and its end plates then juxtaposed and bolted together.

2. A sand conditioning device as defined in claim I, wherein said belt is composed of rubberized duckfabric.

3. A sand conditioning device as defined in claim 2, wherein said transverse tool elements are metal cleats.

belt by rivets.

5. In a foundry sand conditioning device, a conveyor belt and a conditioning drum rotatably mounted closely adjacent as shown, At either end of the belt unit is provided an end plate 30. The outwardly extending flanges 32 of these end plates are correspondingly aperturedfor reception of conventional bolts 34 (note FIG. 1

The belt 20 may be composed of any material of adequate strength and flexibility. In place of rubberized duck, for example, the belt may be composed of plastic film, leather, or even metal sheet. Similarly, the tools may be attached thereto in any suitable manner. They may be riveted, as shown, or attached by stapling or even by welding. Assembly of a belt and tool unit on a drum is quick and convenient. To replace the unit, it is necessary only to loosen the bolts 34 holding it in place, slip the old unit off the drum, and then position another belt unit about the cutter 10, bring the end plates 20 into faceto-face relationship with the bolt provided therein in alignment, insert a set of bolts 30 and tighten the bolt nuts to draw and above said belt, said conditioning drum including a cylindrical support member, a belt enclosing said support member, a series of tool elements extending the width of said belt, attached to and extending outwardly from the outer surface of said belt, an end plate associated with-each end of said belt, said end plates being correspondingly apertured, whereby the belt may be positioned about said supportmember, and its end plates then juxtaposed and bolted together.

6. A sand conditioning device as defined in claim 5, wherein the belt is composed of rubberized duck fabric.

7. A sand conditioning device as defined in claim 6, wherein said transverse tool elements are metal cleats.

8. A sand conditioningdevice asdefined in claim 7, wherein said transverse tool elements are metalcleats fastened to said belt by rivets. 

1. A conditioning device for foundry sand or the like, including a cylindrical support member, a belt enclosing said support member, a series of tool elements extending the width of said belt, attached to and extending outwardly from the outer surface of said belt, an end plate associated with each end of said belt, said end plates being correspondingly apertured, whereby the belt may be positioned about said support member, and its end plates then juxtaposed and bolted together.
 2. A sand conditioning device as defined in claim 1, wherein said belt is composed of rubberized duck fabric.
 3. A sand conditioning device as defined in claim 2, wherein said transverse tool elements are metal cleats.
 4. A sand conditioning device as defined in claim 3, wherein said transverse tool elements are metal cleats fastened to said belt by rivets.
 5. In a foundry sand conditioning device, a conveyor belt and a conditioning drum rotatably mounted closely adjacent and above said belt, said conditioning drum including a cylindrical support member, a belt enclosing said support member, a series of tool elements extending the width of said belt, attached to and extending outwardly from the outer surface of said belt, an end plate associated with each end of said belt, said end plates being correspondingly apeRtured, whereby the belt may be positioned about said support member, and its end plates then juxtaposed and bolted together.
 6. A sand conditioning device as defined in claim 5, wherein the belt is composed of rubberized duck fabric.
 7. A sand conditioning device as defined in claim 6, wherein said transverse tool elements are metal cleats.
 8. A sand conditioning device as defined in claim 7, wherein said transverse tool elements are metal cleats fastened to said belt by rivets. 